SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Midterm Madness Edition

For many students (including yours truly), it's midterm season. No wonder SuperPhillip Central has been bare this week until now! However, now the midterms are over, and it's time to pump out new content like crazy!

This all starts with SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs, taking a special Friday place on the SPC weekly calendar this time around. Folklore gives us a mystical theme to start things off, and then we go to school with some Bully. White Knight Chronicles and Final Fantasy XI give us some RPG goodness, and then, Valkyria Chronicles II fittingly takes us back to class.

Click on the VGM volume title to reach its YouTube video. And if you want more VGMs, check out the VGM Database to get your fill-- and then some! Now, let's get on to the music!

v1241. Folklore (PS3) - To the Unknown World

Let's start off with a mysterious and enchanting theme from the equally mysterious and enchanting Folklore, a PlayStation 3 exclusive that was very much overlooked upon release. The game has since seen a bit of a cult classic status in the PS3 library. As for the song, who doesn't like lovely strings with a delightful choir backing? Don't answer, friends. That was rhetorical!

v1242. Bully (PS2) / Bully: Scholarship Edition (Wii, 360) - Walk Theme

Bully has an open world that wasn't the largest that Rockstar has ever created-- far from it-- but it was one of the most charming and dynamic. Being so small, Rockstar was able to craft a nice and cozy neighborhood that changed throughout the school year. If you're wishing for a sequel to Bully like I am, then join the club! There's thousands of us!

v1243. White Knight Chronicles (PS3) - Craydol Plain

White Knight Chronicles wasn't the most exciting RPG on the PlayStation 3, but I enjoyed the time I spent with it all the same. However, the reason I didn't finish it was because of the gnawing thought that played out in my head repeatedly, "Couldn't I be playing something better?" And I did. However, one thing that stays memorable to me in my mind is the glorious soundtrack for the game.

v1244. Final Fantasy XI (PS2, 360, PC) - The Federation of Windurst

From one RPG to another, Final Fantasy XI took the series into uncharted territory-- online! This MMORPG still has quite the following, though Final Fantasy XIV took some of the wind out of XI's sails. Still, there's an enviable charm to the game that is assisted by the stellar soundtrack, featuring a wide array of composers. Naoshi Mizuta composed this particular rustic theme.

v1245. Valkyria Chronicles II (PSP) - Are We A Spoiled Class

Well, they LOOK pretty spoiled! Here's a nice and playful song for the end of this tardy edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs. Xylophones, wood blocks, and plucked strings are all great ways to bring a sense of playfulness to a theme, and that's exactly what composer Hitoshi Sakimoto (composer of my favorite game soundtrack, Final Fantasy Tactics) has done with this charming theme.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Pi Day 2016 Edition

Welcome to a new week of posts at SuperPhillip Central. I caught a massive head cold midweek last week, but I'm feeling well enough to resume posts once again. At least during this period of my sickness my hands aren't constantly touching snot-stained tissues.

...With that lovely picture in your head, let's focus on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs! Here, I try to bring to my readers five great video game songs a week. This week, we start off by partying like it's 1999 with Mario Party 2. We then go serious for a moment with a boss battle theme from Tales of Symphonia. Following that is a return to something sillier with Super Monkey Ball 2. Bringing us back home on this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs is a duo of Hitoshi Sakimoto composed themes, one from Valkyria Chronicles II and one from Final Fantasy Tactics, taking us to our 1,100 VGM volume.

If you're yearning for even more VGM goodness, check out the VGM Database!

v1096. Mario Party 2 (N64) - Pirate Land

Mario Party 2 took on an amusement park/costume party theme with each of the game's six boards taking place in a different themed area with the party participants wearing different themed costumes. Pirate Land is the first board of Mario Party 2, set across three main isles separated by bridges.

v1097. Tales of Symphonia (GCN) - Fatalize

Fatalize is the type of theme that gets you pumped and primed for battle. When you hear this boss theme for Tales of Symphonia, you know it's time to get serious-- that is, if you weren't already. Whether it's against big beasts or ancient evil, draw your weapons and get ready for a fight!

v1098. Super Monkey Ball 2 (GCN) - Amusement Park (World 5)

Super Monkey Ball 2 introduced plenty of new things to the familiarity of rolling a monkey ball through obstacle-laden courses. The biggest addition was a story mode that might not have been needed, but it wasn't anywhere near as egregious as making a whole game with a story like we later saw with Super Monkey Ball Adventure. Super Monkey Ball 2's music kept an uptempo feel, perfect for carefully tilting each course to guide Aiai and friends (hopefully) safely to the goal.

v1099. Valkyria Chronicles II (PSP) - Exciting Battle

Valkyria Chronicles as a series had an interesting release pattern to it. While the first Valkyria Chronicles released on the PlayStation 3, its sequels would release on the PlayStation Portable. The third game wouldn't even get localized. Now, the original game is seeing a remastered version on the PS4. Regardless, though the graphics took a hit on the PSP, Valkyria Chronicles' arrival on the system didn't allow its soundtrack to be held back. No, Hitoshi Sakimoto's wonderfully composed tunes shined brightly with this portable sequel.

v1100. Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1) - Antidote

Another song by the fantastic Hitoshi Sakimoto, this time from what I consider my favorite video game soundtrack ever composed, Final Fantasy Tactics. I continue to replay this game when I get the chance with any excuse. Of course, new games always take priority, as I have to keep up to date on what's out on the market. Still, it doesn't mean I can't listen to the great music from FFT while writing reviews for said new games!